Scrap Paper
Multiple Choice Questions
Test Taking Tips
Reading
Writing
100

How many pieces of scrap paper should you use? 

As many as you need/want!!!

100

True or False. 

I should read all of the answer choices before selecting the correct answer. 

TRUE!!!! 

100

How long do you have to finish your MCAS test? 

As much time as you need (all day if needed) so we should not rush! 

100

What is theme? 

The lesson/moral the author wants to teach the reader
100

What is the first thing you should write in an essay? 

Your RESTATE & ANSWER for the question! Otherwise known as the claim. 

200
Set-up scrap paper for a FICTION reading passage.

See teacher model

200

What should you do if an answer choice does not make sense? 

Eliminate it! Cross it out! 

200

Other than getting a good night's sleep and eating a full healthy breakfast, what is one other thing you can do to prepare for your test outside of school? 

Read a book, limit screen time, practice questions or scrap paper, say/write positive affirmations for yourself, review strategies, etc

200

What does it mean if a passage is fiction? How do you know if a passage is fiction?

If the passage is fiction that means it is not real and it is made up. A passage is fiction if it includes characters, setting, a problem/solution, and theme. 

200

How many pieces of evidence should you include in your essay? 

At least 2 direct quotes from the text. 

300

Set-up scrap paper for a NON-FICTION reading passage.

See teacher model. 

300

What strategy helps you determine the meaning of a word you do not know? 

Context Clues!

300

If you get stuck on a question, what should you do? 

Take a deep breath, flag the question for review, go to the next question and come back to it later, put your head down for a minute, reread the question, etc. 

300

What does it mean if a passage is non-fiction? How do you know if a passage is non-fiction?

If a passage is nonfiction it is real and not made up. A passage is nonfiction if it includes real/factual information and has nonfiction text features (maps, diagrams, footnotes, captions, titles/headings, real life photos, bullet points, bolded words). 

300

What structure do we use when we are writing an essay? Name all of the pieces. 

RACES 

Restate, Answer, Cite Evidence, Explain, Summarize 

400

Set up scrap paper for an ESSAY response. 

See teacher model. 

400

If you are stuck between two answer choices, what should you do? 

Go back into the text to find evidence for each answer choice, reread the question and answer choices again, look at your scrap paper for help

400

If you finish, what should you do before submitting your test.

Check your work multiple times! Reread your writing to make sure it makes sense. Make sure you answered every question completely. 

400

What does it mean to annotate the text? 

As a reader you mark up the text to help you understand what is going on. You underline key details/information and jot your thoughts down in the margins/side. 

400

What does it mean to explain your evidence? 

This means you are explaining how your text evidence supports your claim/answer. This also is the place to show your deeper thinking and understanding of both the question and the passage. 

500

What is the purpose of scrap paper? Why should we use scrap paper for our ELA MCAS? 

Scrap paper can help you organize your ideas, understand the passage, track your thinking, make sure you are on the right page, understand the questions being asked, etc. 

500

What does it mean if a question has a PART A and a PART B?

This means the two questions are connected. Part A is where you answer the question and Part B is where you find evidence that supports your answer to Part A. 

500

What should the testing room look like, sound like, and feel like so that all scholars are successful? 

Look like: scholars working on their test and scrap paper, eyes on their computers, pencils moving, calm bodies, feet on the floor, hands not in the desk/playing with materials, no students walking around, raising hands for help

Sound like; level zero, keys on the computer, audio if receiving that accomodation, pencils on paper

Feel Like; peaceful, calm, ready to go 

500

Describe what you do when you summarize a text. 

When you summarize a text, you retell/describe the most important parts of the text in your own words. 

500

Describe what it means to edit and revise. 

Editing and Revising is where you go back, read over your writing, and see how you can make it stronger. When you revise, you make big changes such as adding in stronger language or adding more reasoning. When you edit, you make small changes such as fixing a lowercase letter or adding in missing punctuation. 

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